History was the underlying theme in the selling of the 2009 U.S. Open of Surfing. And for the first time in a long time, what the sandy masses got over the weekend was just that and more.

It was a landmark event. It was profound. In ways too numerous to list right now.  But let’s ponder a few.

Now a respectable 50, the big summer surf contest at the Huntington Beach Pier has grown into the world’s largest, regardless of what it’s officially called. But it took just the right confluence of athletic, meteorological, and even, dare I say it, corporate elements to deliver the most deeply satisfying experience for surfing fans in HB history. Oh, there’s that word again.

The sweeping victories of locals Courtney Conlogue and Brett Simpson over a very strong field in big waves during perhaps the most polished presentation of surfing yet — by Nike-owned surfbrand Hurley — rewarded fans of California and U.S. surfing with another H-word: Hope. Big time.

There is reason to believe in California surfing again and it came in the form of two very compelling young stars.

While all of this was lost on local media, many of the thousands jammed on the beach Saturday and Sunday afternoon knew they were seeing something special and important. They were on a thrill ride that has mostly been out of order since the days of Tom Curren.

The 16-year-old Conlogue crushed defending open champ, Hawaii’s Malia Manuel 17.17-12.67 on Saturday in the women’s final and 24-year-old Simpson did the same to former world champ Mick Fanning of Australia, 16.93-12.50 on Sunday in the men’s final.

Conlogue was often overwhelming during her heats. A national amateur champ and multi-medal winning veteran of the U.S. team, she captured the attention of the U.S. Open audience with a semi-finals appearance two years ago when she was just 14. She’s become far and away the brightest hope for a women’s world champ from the U.S. mainland since Lisa Andersen’s last title in 1997. The last California woman to win the title was Kim Mearig in 1983, almost a decade before Conlogue was born.

Simpson has struggled more to meet up to the grand expectations placed on him. But he nearly qualified for the World Championship Tour last year and is even stronger this season. He surfed confidently and consistently through the week, saving probably his best for last. Sunday finally felt like his moment of arrival.

Simpson’s father, a former Los Angeles Ram, rushed into the water at the end of the heat and tackled his son with a bear hug. Conlogue, the freckle-faced girl with a whole assembly of honorary fathers and big brothers gathered on the sand, had reduced several of them to goo by the time she held up her trophy.

One of those wiping away tears was Ian Cairns, the tall, barrel-chested and famously gruff former pro from Australia who is coaching both Conlogue and Simpson. The dual victories proved a resounding confirmation of Cairns knowledge and ability. His phone will be busy for the next several days.

The massive success of the 2009 U.S. Open delivered something beyond just a feel good moment for Surf City, U.S.A. It was a glimpse of the future where “stadium surfing” are no longer dirty words and most importantly, where the promise of the California tribe of surfers might once again be fulfilled.

Photo by Robert Shadley

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